Two years after joining Bayern Munich, Portugal international Renato Sanches finally looks like the €35 million midfielder they were getting back in 2016. The 21-year-old was awarded his first start under head coach Niko Kovac against former club, SL Benfica. Sanches played his part in Robert Lewandowski’s opening goal while he started and finished the move for Bayern Munich’s second. Continue reading →

The most highly-decorated team in World Cup history will always come in as one of the favourites to win the competition, and this year Brazil have a real chance. Memories of the 7-1 humiliation to Germany on home soil in 2014 will still be fresh, but this side have come a long way since then. Luiz Felipe Scolari was replaced by ex-player Dunga as boss following that semi-final disaster in Belo Horizonte, however more failures in the 2015 Copa America and Copa America Centenario the year after meant that he too was shown the door.

Next up in our look ahead to the World Cup in Russia this summer, it is the turn of European champions Portugal to rest under the spotlight. Having surprised many by winning the Euros in 2016 after a relatively sub-par tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo and company will be hoping they can build on their momentum and carry a great showing to the biggest tournament in football. Their 35 man preliminary squad features many stars who played in that title winning campaign two years ago, including Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma, Nani and goalkeeper Rui Patricio. Having won their previous major tournament, Fernando Santos’ men will have the expectations of a nation raised quite considerably this time around. Renato Sanches, however, misses out.